Apparatus and system for boosting, transferring, turning and positioning a patient

ABSTRACT

A patient positioning system for use with a patient on a bed includes an inflatable patient support device, and optionally, other components such as one or more wedges and/or an absorbent pad. The device includes top and bottom sheets, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavity, such that the top and bottom sheets form top and bottom walls of the cavity in use. The device further has passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, and gussets connected to the top and bottom sheets and extending across the cavity. The passages permit air to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between the bottom surface of the device and the surface supporting the device. Selective glide assemblies may be used to resist sliding of these components in certain directions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, system, andmethod for boosting, transferring, turning, and positioning a person ona bed or the like, and, more particularly, to an inflatable patientsupport device having a gripping surface, an absorbent pad, and/or awedge for use in turning and positioning a person, utilizing airflow,high and low friction surfaces to transfer or boost, and selective glideassemblies to allow, assist, or resist movement of the components of thesystem in certain directions, as well as systems and methods includingone or more of such apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Nurses and other caregivers at hospitals, assisted living facilities,and other locations often care for patients with limited or no mobility,many of whom are critically ill or injured and/or are bedridden. Thesepatients are dependent upon nurses/caregivers to move, and are at riskof forming pressure ulcers (bed sores) due to their inability to move.Pressure ulcers develop due to pressure on a patient's skin forprolonged periods of time, particularly over areas where bone orcartilage protrudes close to the surface of the skin because suchpressure reduces blood flow to the area eventually resulting in tissuedeath. The risk of forming a pressure ulcer is exacerbated by skinsurface damage caused by frictional forces and shearing forces resultingfrom the patient's skin rubbing or pulling against a surface andexcessive heat and moisture, which causes the skin to be more fragileand therefore more susceptible to damage.

One area in which pressure ulcers frequently form in an immobile patientlying on his/her back is over the sacral bone (the “sacrum”), becausethe sacrum and supporting mattress surface exert constant and opposingpressure on the skin, resulting in the aforementioned reduction in bloodflow. Furthermore, skin in the sacral region is often more susceptibleto damage due to shear and friction resulting from the patient beingpushed or pulled over the surface of the mattress to reposition him/her,or from sliding down over the surface of the bed when positioned withhis/her upper body in an inclined position for pulmonary reasons.

Existing devices and methods often do not adequately protect againstpressure ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly pressure ulcers inthe sacral region. One effective way to combat sacral pressure ulcers isfrequent turning of the patient, so that the patient is alternatelyresting on one side or the other thus avoiding prolonged pressure in thesacral region. A protocol is often used for scheduled turning of abedridden patient and dictates that a patient should be turned Q2, orevery two hours, either from resting at a 30° angle on one side to a 30°angle on the other side, or from 30° on one side to 0°/supine (lying onhis/her back) to 30° on the other side. However, there are severalbarriers to compliance with this type of protocol, resulting in patientsnot being turned as often as necessary, or positioning properly at aside-lying angle, to prevent pressure ulcers. First, turning patients isdifficult and time consuming, typically requiring two or morecaregivers. Second, pillows are often stuffed partially under thepatient to support the patient's body in resting on his or her left orright side; however, pillows are non-uniform and can pose difficultiesin achieving consistent turning angles, as well as occasionally slippingout from underneath the patient. Third, patients who are positioned inan inclined position on the bed often slide downward toward the foot ofthe bed over time, which can cause them to slip off of any structuresthat may be supporting them. Additionally, this requires thenurse/caregiver to frequently “boost” the patient back up to the head ofthe bed, which, like turning, can be difficult and time-consuming, andonce again may result in shearing/friction of the patient's skin.Further, many patient positioning devices cannot be left under a patientfor long periods of time, because they do not have sufficientbreathability and/or compatibility with certain bed functions such aslow-air loss (LAL) technology and can be easily stained when soiled.

Moreover, caregivers often need to move patients to or from a bedsurface for transport, treatment, or examination of the patient.Patients who are unconscious, disabled, or otherwise unable to moveunder their own power often require the assistance of multiplecaregivers to accomplish this transfer. The patient transfer process hastraditionally relied upon one or more of several methods, including theuse of folded bedsheets (“drawsheets”) or rigid transfer boards inconcert with the exertion of strong pushing or pulling forces by thecaregivers to accomplish the move. The process may be complicated by thesize of the patient, the patient's level of disability, and/or thepatient's state of consciousness.

In addition to being difficult and time-consuming, turning, positioning,transferring and/or boosting patients, types of “patient handling”activities, can result in injury to healthcare workers who push, pull,or lift the patient's body weight. For healthcare workers, the mostprevalent cause of injuries resulting in days away from work isoverexertion or bodily reaction, which includes motions such as lifting,bending, or reaching and is often related to patient handling. Theseinjuries can be sudden and traumatic, but are more often cumulative innature, resulting in gradually increasing symptoms and disability in thehealthcare worker.

In recognition of the risk and frequency of healthcare worker injuriesassociated with patient handling, safe patient handling proceduresand/or protocols are often implemented in the healthcare setting. Theseprotocols stress that methods for moving patients should incorporate aform of assistive device to reduce the effort required to handle thepatient, thus minimizing the potential for injury to healthcare workers.Such assistance may be accomplished, for example, with the use oflow-friction sheets or air assisted patient transfer devices thatutilize forced air to reduce the physical exertion needed fromhealthcare workers to accomplish the task of moving a patient.

The present disclosure seeks to overcome certain of these limitationsand other drawbacks of existing devices, systems, and methods, and toprovide new features not heretofore available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary isnot an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended toidentify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate thescope of the invention. The following summary merely presents someconcepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the moredetailed description provided below.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system for use with a bedhaving a frame and a supporting surface supported by the frame, whichincludes an inflatable patient support device. The device includes a topsheet and a bottom sheet, where the top sheet is connected to the bottomsheet to define a cavity configured to be inflated, such that the topsheet forms a top wall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet formsa bottom wall of the cavity in use. The device further has a pluralityof passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device,through the bottom sheet, and a plurality of gussets connected to thetop sheet and the bottom sheet and extending across the cavity. Thepassages are configured to permit air to pass from the cavity to theexterior of the device and to flow between a bottom surface of thedevice and a supporting surface upon which the device is configured torest. This airflow reduces friction between the device and the surfaceon which the device rests. The gussets may serve to limit inflation ofthe device and at least partially define the shape and contour of thedevice when inflated.

According to one aspect, the device further includes a port incommunication with the cavity and with the exterior of the device,configured for connection to an air output (e.g., an air pump) forinflation of the cavity. The port may include an opening configured toreceive a portion of the air output and a retaining mechanism configuredto retain the portion of the air output within the opening.

According to another aspect, the device further includes a piece of adirectional stitching material connected to the bottom surface of thedevice and positioned to cover at least one of the passages. Thedirectional stitching material is air-permeable to allow air passingthrough the passage to escape to the exterior of the device. In oneconfiguration, the directional stitching material is oriented to resistsliding of the device with respect to the supporting surface toward ahead edge or a foot edge of the device.

According to a further aspect, the device further includes a piece ofair-permeable material connected to the bottom surface of the device andpositioned to cover at least one of the passages, and wherein the pieceof air-permeable material is configured to allow air passing through thepassage(s) to escape to the exterior of the device. In oneconfiguration, the piece of air-permeable material may have directionalfriction properties, e.g., being configured to provide greaterresistance to sliding of the device with respect to the supportingsurface in at least one direction as compared to at least one otherdirection.

According to yet another aspect, the top sheet forms the top wall of thecavity and a top surface of the device, and the bottom sheet forms thebottom wall of the cavity and the bottom surface of the device. The topsheet and the bottom sheet may be formed of a single piece that foldedover at one edge, or formed as separate pieces which are joined togetheraround their edges, among other configurations.

According to a still further aspect, the top sheet has a high frictionmaterial on a top surface thereof, wherein the high friction materialhas a greater resistance to sliding than a material of the bottom sheet.

According to an additional aspect, the system includes the device andfurther includes a wedge comprising a wedge body having a base wall, aramp surface, and a back wall, with the ramp surface and the base wallforming an apex at a front end of the wedge. The wedge is configured tobe positioned under the device such that the base wall confronts thesupporting surface and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface ofthe device. The system may include multiple such wedges, and in oneembodiment, two wedges are included.

Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to a system as describedabove, with an inflatable device that includes a top sheet and a bottomsheet, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define acavity configured to be inflated, such that the top sheet forms a topwall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall ofthe cavity in use. The device also includes a plurality of passagesextending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through thebottom sheet, and a piece of air-permeable material connected to thebottom surface of the device and positioned to cover at least one of thepassages. The passages are configured to permit air to pass from thecavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between a bottomsurface of the device and a supporting surface upon which the device isconfigured to rest. The piece of air-permeable material is configured toallow air passing through the passage(s) to escape to the exterior ofthe device. The device/system may also include any of the additionalcomponents and/or configurations described above.

According to one aspect, the device further includes a port incommunication with the cavity and with the exterior of the device,configured for connection to an air output for inflation of the cavity.

According to another aspect, the air-permeable material is a directionalstitching material configured to have a greater resistance to sliding inat least one direction as compared to at least one other direction. Inone configuration, the directional stitching material may be oriented toresist sliding of the device with respect to the supporting surfacetoward a head edge or a foot edge of the device.

According to a further aspect, the device includes a plurality of piecesof air-permeable material, each connected to the bottom surface of thedevice and positioned to cover at least one of the passages. Each pieceof air-permeable material is configured to allow air passing through thepassage(s) to escape to the exterior of the device. In oneconfiguration, each piece of the air-permeable material is a directionalstitching material as described above.

According to yet another aspect, the top sheet has a high frictionmaterial on a top surface thereof, where the high friction material hasa greater resistance to sliding than a material of the bottom sheet.

Further aspects of the disclosure relate to a system as described above,with an inflatable device that includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet,where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define a cavityconfigured to be inflated, such that the top sheet forms a top wall ofthe cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall of thecavity in use. The device also includes a plurality of passagesextending from the cavity to an exterior of the device, through thebottom sheet, where the passages are configured to permit air to passfrom the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between abottom surface of the device and a supporting surface upon which thedevice is configured to rest. The device further includes a port incommunication with the cavity and with the exterior of the device,configured for connection to an air output for inflation of the cavity,and a valve located within the cavity, between the top and bottomsheets, wherein the valve is in communication with the port and thecavity. The valve includes a pocket located between the top and bottomsheets, the pocket having an entrance opening in communication with theport to receive air from the port and an exit opening in communicationwith the cavity. The exit opening is spaced from the entrance opening,such that airflow through the port is configured to pass through thevalve by flowing from the port into the entrance opening, through thepocket, and out through the exit opening, to enter the cavity. Thedevice/system may also include any of the additional components and/orconfigurations described above.

According to one aspect, the port further includes an opening configuredto receive a portion of the air output and a retaining mechanismconfigured to retain the portion of the air output within the opening.

According to another aspect, the device further includes a piece of adirectional stitching material connected to the bottom surface of thedevice and positioned to cover at least one of the passages, where thedirectional stitching material is air-permeable to allow air passingthrough the passage(s) to escape to the exterior of the device.

According to a further aspect, the top sheet has a high frictionmaterial on a top surface thereof, wherein the high friction materialhas a greater resistance to sliding than a material of the bottom sheet.

Still further aspects of the disclosure relate to a system as describedabove, with an inflatable device that includes a top sheet and a bottomsheet, where the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet to define acavity configured to be inflated, such that the top sheet forms a topwall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wall ofthe cavity in use, as well as a port in communication with the cavityand with the exterior of the device, configured for connection to an airoutput for inflation of the cavity. The device also includes a pluralityof passages extending from the cavity to an exterior of the device,through the bottom sheet, where the passages are configured to permitair to pass from the cavity to the exterior of the device and to flowbetween a bottom surface of the device and a supporting surface uponwhich the device is configured to rest. The device further includes apiece of air-permeable material connected to the bottom surface of thedevice and positioned to cover at least one of the passages, where thepiece of air-permeable material is configured to allow air passingthrough the passage(s) to escape to the exterior of the device. Thesystem also includes a wedge including a wedge body having a base wall,a ramp surface, and a back wall, with the ramp surface and the base wallforming an apex at the front end of the wedge. The wedge is configuredto be positioned under the device such that the base wall confronts thesupporting surface and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface ofthe device. The system may further include multiple such wedges, and inone embodiment, two wedges are included. The device/system may alsoinclude any of the additional components and/or configurations describedabove.

According to one aspect, the air-permeable material is a directionalstitching material configured to have a greater resistance to sliding inat least one direction as compared to at least one other direction. Inone configuration, the ramp surface of the wedge has a ramp engagementmember, and the wedge is configured to be positioned under the devicesuch that the ramp engagement member engages the piece of air-permeablematerial to create a directional gliding assembly configured to have agreater resistance to sliding between the ramp engagement member and thepiece of air-permeable material that is greater in a first directionextending parallel to the front end of the wedge and smaller in a seconddirection extending from the front end toward the back wall of thewedge. The directional gliding assembly may further be configured tohave a greater resistance to sliding between the ramp engagement memberand the piece of air-permeable material that is greater in a thirddirection extending from the back wall toward the front end of the wedgeand smaller in the second direction. It is understood that the rampengagement member may include multiple different engagement members withresistances to sliding in different directions in one embodiment.

According to another aspect, the device further includes a plurality ofgussets connected to the top sheet and the bottom sheet and extendingacross the cavity.

According to a further aspect, the system further includes an absorbentbody pad configured to be placed in contact with the top surface of thedevice, such that the body pad rests beneath a patient lying on thedevice.

According to yet another aspect, the system further includes an air pumphaving an air output configured for connection to the port for inflationof the device. The pump may have an attachment mechanism configured forattaching the pump to a structure. For example, the attachment mechanismmay be a T-shaped bar that is connected to the pump by a hinge and hastwo arms with hooks at the ends thereof for hanging the pump from astructure such as a bed rail.

Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for use with a systemas described herein and/or individual components of such systems, suchas the inflatable device, wedges, etc. For example, the method mayinclude placing an inflatable device as described herein above asupporting surface of a bed and beneath a patient positioned on the bed,and inflating the device, such as by using an air pump as describedabove. According to one aspect, the method may also include using thedevice to move the patient on the bed, or from the bed to anothersurface. An absorbent body pad may also be placed between the patientand the device.

According to another aspect, the method may include inserting a wedge orwedges as described herein beneath the device and beneath the patient bymoving the wedge away from a side edge of the bed and toward and underthe patient. After insertion, the ramp surface of the wedge supports thepatient in an angled position. The ramp surface of the wedge may have anengagement member that engages the bottom surface of the device (e.g.,another engagement member on the device) to form a selective glidingassembly that resists movement of the device in a first direction awayfrom the side edge of the bed and/or from the back wall toward the frontend of the wedge, and permits movement of the device in a seconddirection toward the side edge of the bed and/or from the front endtoward the back wall, such that a first pull force necessary to createsliding movement of the wedge in the first direction is greater comparedto a second pull force necessary to create sliding movement of the wedgein the second direction. This permits the wedge to be insertedunderneath the device, but resists the device sliding down the rampsurface of the wedge. Additionally or alternately, the base wall of thewedge may have an engagement member that engages a surface of the bed toform a selective gliding assembly that resists movement of the wedgewith respect to the surface of the bed in a first direction away fromthe patient and toward the side edge of the bed, and permits movement ofthe wedge with respect to the surface of the bed in a second directionfrom the side edge of the bed toward the patient to ease insertion ofthe wedge beneath the device, such that a first pull force necessary tocreate sliding movement of the wedge in the first direction is greatercompared to a second pull force necessary to create sliding movement ofthe wedge in the second direction. The device (along with the patient)may be pulled slightly toward the side edge of the bed to properlyposition the patient after insertion of the wedge.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system for use inturning and positioning a patient, according to aspects of thedisclosure, with a patient shown in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of aninflatable device of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially-broken away top elevation view of the inflatabledevice of FIG. 3, with some internal detail shown in broken lines;

FIG. 5 is a bottom elevation view of the inflatable device of FIG. 3,with some internal detail shown in broken lines;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a caregiver inserting wedges of thesystem of FIG. 1 underneath the inflatable device of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a wedge of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the wedge of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a side view of the wedge of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 8B-8D are side views of additional embodiments of a wedge that isusable in connection with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inflatable device of FIGS. 1-5 withan air output connected to a port on the inflatable device;

FIG. 10 is a magnified view of the port of the inflatable device shownin FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a magnified view of the port of the inflatable device shownin FIGS. 9-10, with the air output in position for insertion into theport;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable device of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 13 is a magnified view of a portion of the inflatable device asshown in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14-17 are bottom elevation views of additional embodiments ofinflatable devices configured for use with the system of FIG. 1,according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of various selective glide assembliesof the system of FIG. 1, with arrows schematically illustratingdirections of free movement and directions of resistance to movementbetween the components of the system;

FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of one engagement member of a selectiveglide assembly of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of adevice for use with a system for turning and positioning a patient,according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a cross-section view of the device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a magnified portion of the cross-section view of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a magnified cross-section view of another embodiment of adevice for use with a system for turning and positioning a patient,according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a top view of another embodiment of a device for use with asystem for turning and positioning a patient, according to aspects ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a pump according to aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a side view of the pump of FIG. 27; and

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a portion of a pump according toaspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms,there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail,certain embodiments of the invention with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of theinvention to the embodiments illustrated and described.

In general, the disclosure relates to a system or apparatus, includingan inflatable patient support device, an absorbent body pad configuredto be placed over the device, and one or more wedges configured to beplaced underneath the device to support the patient in variouspositions, where the wedge(s) and the device form one or more selectivegliding assemblies, as well as systems including one or more of suchdevices and methods utilizing one or more of such systems and/ordevices. Various embodiments of the invention are described below.

Referring now to the figures, and initially to FIGS. 1-6, there is shownan example embodiment of a system 10 for use in turning and positioninga person resting on a surface, such as a patient lying on a hospitalbed. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes an inflatable patientsupport device (hereinafter, “device”) 20, an absorbent body pad 40configured to be placed over the device 20, and one or more wedges 50configured to be placed under the device 20. The patient can bepositioned on top of the body pad 40, with the body pad 40 lying on thedevice 20, and one or more wedges 50A,B optionally positioned underneaththe device 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the system 10 is configured to be placed on a bed12 or other support apparatus for supporting a person in a supineposition. The bed 12 generally includes a frame 14 and a supportingsurface 16 supported by the frame 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 6, andhas a head 13, a foot 17 opposite the head 13, and opposed sides oredges 19 extending between the head 13 and the foot 17. The supportingsurface 16 can be provided by a mattress 18 or similar structure, and invarious embodiments, the mattress 18 can incorporate air pressuresupport, alternating air pressure support and/or low-air-loss (LAL)technology. These technologies are known in the art, and utilize a pumpmotor or motors (not shown) to effectuate airflow into, over and/orthrough the mattress 18. For beds having LAL technology, the top of themattress 18 may be breathable so that the airflow can pull heat andmoisture vapor away from the patient. The bed 12 may also include one ormore bed sheets (such as a fitted sheet or flat sheet), as well aspillows, blankets, additional sheets, and other components known in theart. Further, the bed 12 may be an adjustable bed, such as a typicalhospital-type bed, where the head 13 (or other parts) of the bed 12 canbe raised and lowered, such as to incline the patient's upper body. Itis understood that the system 10 and the components thereof can be usedwith other types of beds 12 as well.

In example embodiments described herein, the system 10 has one or moreselective gliding assemblies 60 positioned between components of thesystem 10 to permit sliding of the components relative to each other incertain directions and to resist sliding of the components relative toeach other in at least one direction. The selective gliding assemblies60 are formed by one or more directionally-oriented engagement memberspositioned between the components and configured to engage thecomponents to permit and limit sliding in specified directions. Ingeneral, these directionally-oriented engagement members are configuredto have a resistance to sliding in at least one direction that isgreater than their resistance to sliding in at least one otherdirection.

One type of engagement member that is usable in connection with theapparatus 10 is a stitched material 45 with a directional stitchingpattern that extends along a particular direction, such as a herringboneor zig-zag stitching pattern (see FIG. 19), to assist in allowing theengagement member to glide along one axis and to resist gliding alonganother axis. As seen in FIG. 19, the herringbone stitching patternshown is relatively open, with links 45A forming angles of 90° orgreater, such that each link 45A in the stitching pattern extends agreater distance along axis A than along axis B. In one embodiment, thelinks 45A may form angles of approximately 120°, approximately 110°-180°(straight line), or 90° or greater with respect to each other. Otherdirectional stitching patterns may be utilized, including otherdirectional stitching patterns with links 45A that are oriented and/orsized differently. In one example, the engagement member 62 may havestitching in the form of a plurality of parallel or substantiallyparallel lines extending generally in a single direction. Thedirectional stitching material 45 as shown in FIG. 19 permits sliding indirections generally along the axis A, or in other words, along thedirections in which the stitching pattern extends. The directionalstitching material 45 as shown in FIG. 19 resists sliding in directionsgenerally along the axis B, or in other words, across the stitchesand/or transverse to the directions in which the stitching patternextends.

One example of a stitched material usable as the directional stitchingmaterial 45 is a loop material (e.g. as used in a hook-and-loopconnection), with a directional stitching pattern located on the reverseside of the loop material. This loop material may be connected to acomponent of the system 10 with the loop side facing inward and thereverse side facing outward to form the surface of the engagementmember. The directional stitching material 45 may be formed of adifferent material in another embodiment, including, without limitation,a variety of different fabric materials. It is understood that suchmaterials may include a directional stitching pattern. The directionalstitching material 45 may be connected to a component of the system 10in a surface-to-surface, confronting relation to form a layeredstructure in one embodiment, such as by stitching, adhesive, sonicwelding, heat welding and other techniques, including techniquesfamiliar to those skilled in the art.

As used in some embodiments described herein, two pieces of adirectional stitching material 45, such as shown in FIG. 19, can be usedin engagement with each other, with the axes A and B of the stitchingpatterns of the two pieces in alignment, to provide increased resistanceto sliding along the axis B. The two pieces of directional stitchingmaterial 45 may be the same type of material or different types ofmaterial in various embodiments, and may have the same or differentstitching patterns. This directional stitching material 45 may also beused in connection with other directionally-oriented engagement membersto achieve increased resistance to sliding in selected directions. Invarious uses, the directional stitching material 45 may have adirectional stitching pattern that extends primarily in the lateral orwidth direction of the system 10 (i.e. between side edges 23), orprimarily in the longitudinal or length direction of the system 10 (i.e.between the front edge 23 and rear edge 23).

Other materials having directionally oriented textures, patterns, etc.,extending in a specified direction may be usable in connection with theapparatus 10 as engagement members. For example, such a material mayhave a ridged or other textured structure. The directionally orientedtexture may have a shape and/or orientation that is similar to one ofthe embodiments of the directional stitching patterns described above.Such a textured structure may be created by various techniques,including weaving, texturing (e.g. physical deformation), or applicationof a substance such as by printing, deposition, etc., among othertechniques. Such other materials may function in the same manner as thedirectional stitching material 45 discussed above.

Another type of engagement member that is usable in connection with thesystem 10 is a directional glide material, such as a brushed fibermaterial or other brushed fabric material, which may have fibers thatlie facing a specific direction. In general, a directional glidematerial resists gliding in a single direction and permits relativelyfree gliding in the opposite direction and along an axis perpendicularto the single direction of resistance, such that the resistance togliding in the single direction is significantly higher than any ofthese three other directions identified. Additionally, a directionalglide material may have structural characteristics to create thisresistance and freedom for gliding in specific directions, such asstructural elements that are directionally oriented. For example, thedirectional glide material may include projecting structures, e.g.,ridges, fibers, bristles, etc., that extend non-perpendicularly from thesurface of a substrate, a majority or substantial entirety of which areoriented (e.g., angled, curved, etc.) in the same general direction. Oneembodiment of an engagement member made of a directional glide materialmay be a brushed nylon fiber material (e.g. lint brush material) withabout 44-48 wales per inch and about 54-58 courses per inch in oneembodiment. Another type of directional glide material may be used inother embodiments, including various ridged fabric and non-fabricmaterials, such as a flexible ratchet material as used in a zip-tie. Thedirectional glide material may be connected to a component of the system10 in a surface-to-surface, confronting relation to form a layeredstructure in one embodiment, such as by stitching, adhesive, sonicwelding, heat welding and other techniques, including techniquesfamiliar to those skilled in the art. This directional glide materialcan be used in connection with a directional stitching material 45 asshown in FIG. 19 to create a selective gliding assembly 60 with a“one-way” glide arrangement. This can be done by engaging thedirectional glide material with the directional stitching material, withthe single direction of resistance of the directional glide materialbeing aligned with the axis along which the stitching pattern extends.This arrangement allows the engagement members to glide with the grainof the directional glide material, while resisting gliding in otherdirections, including the opposite direction along the same axis as thegliding direction (i.e., along one of directions A in FIG. 18 or 19).

As described herein with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, thesystem may use selective gliding assemblies 60 to create directionalgliding between the wedges 50 and the underside of the device 20 and/orbetween the wedges 50 and the bed 12. These selective gliding assemblies60 may include one or more pieces of directional stitching material 45and/or one or more pieces of directional glide material 49, asillustrated schematically in FIG. 18 and described in greater detailelsewhere herein. In other embodiments, selective gliding assemblies 60may be used to create directional gliding between one or more of theabove sets of components and/or between one or more other components ofthe system 10.

An example embodiment of the inflatable patient support device 20 isshown in greater detail in FIGS. 1-6. In general, the device 20 isflexible and foldable when in the non-inflated state (e.g., FIGS. 4-5),and has a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22 defined by a pluralityof peripheral edges 23. The device 20 is configured to be positioned onthe bed 12 so that the bottom surface 22 is above the supporting surface16 of the bed 12 and faces or confronts the supporting surface 16, andis supported by the supporting surface 16. As used herein, “above,”“below,” “over,” and “under” do not imply direct contact or engagement.For example, the bottom surface 22 being above the supporting surface 16means that that the bottom surface 22 may be in contact with thesupporting surface 16, or may face or confront the supporting surface 16and/or be supported by the supporting surface 16 with one or morestructures located between the bottom surface 22 and the supportingsurface 16, such as a bed sheet as described above. Likewise, “facing”or “confronting” does not imply direct contact or engagement, and mayinclude one or more structures located between the surface and thestructure it is confronting or facing.

As seen in FIGS. 3-5, the device 20 in this embodiment is an irregularhexagonal shape, having a rectangular main body portion with threeperipheral edges 23 and a narrowed or tapering head portion 39 withthree additional peripheral edges 23. The shape of the device 20 may bedifferent in other embodiments, including a rectangular shape. Thedevice 20 generally includes an inflatable body 30 that includes aninternal cavity 31 configured to be inflated with air or another gaseoussubstance. The inflatable body 30 is defined by at least a top sheet 26forming a top wall of the cavity 31 and a bottom sheet 27 forming abottom wall of the cavity 31, with the top sheet 26 and the bottom sheet27 connected together to define the cavity 31 between them. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the top and bottom sheets 26,27 are two separate pieces of sheet material that are connected togetheraround their peripheries, such as by stitching and/or adhesives, or oneor more other connection techniques described herein. In otherembodiments, the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 may be made from a singlepiece of material that is folded over and connected by stitching alongthe free ends or that is formed in a loop, or the top and/or bottomsheets 26, 27 may be formed of multiple pieces. Both the top and bottomsheets 26, 27 may be formed of the same material in one embodiment,although these components may be formed of different materials inanother embodiment. It is understood that either or both of the sheets26, 27 may have a single layer or multiple layers that may be formed ofthe same or different materials.

Additionally, the sheet material(s) of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27may have properties that are desirable for a particular application. Forexample, the sheets 26, 27 may be breathable fabrics or other materialsthat have sufficient resistance to air passage to retain inflation ofthe inflatable body 30, while maintaining sufficient breathability toallow passage of heat and moisture vapor away from the patient, therebyenabling the device 20 to be left beneath a patient indefinitely. Such adevice 20 may be used in a complementary manner with low air-loss beds,as mentioned above. The material(s) of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27may also include specific frictional properties, as described herein.Additionally, the material of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 may havegreater permeability to water vapor (i.e., breathability) than itspermeability to liquid or air. For example, the top and/or bottom sheets26, 27 may be formed of a material that is liquid repellant and/orimpermeable and may have little to no air permeability, while beingpermeable to moisture vapor. In one embodiment, the top and bottomsheets 26, 27 may be formed of polyester and/or nylon (polyamide), forexample, a coated nylon taffeta material, which can provide theseproperties. The coating on the sheets 26, 27 has a higher coefficient offriction than the sheet material itself, creating a configuration with ahigh-friction material 24 (the coating) on one surface and alow-friction material 25 (the sheet material) on the opposite side, asdescribed in greater detail elsewhere herein.

The inflatable body 30 of the device 20 may include one or moreinflation-limiting members to create a specific inflated shape 20 forthe device. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, theinflatable body 30 has a plurality of gussets 32 connected to the topsheet 26 and the bottom sheet 27 and extending across the cavity 31. Thegussets 32 in one embodiment are U-shaped in cross-section, having abase 32A connected to one of the top and bottom sheets 26, 27, with twoarms 32B extending across the cavity 31 between the top and bottomsheets 26. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the device 20includes U-shaped gussets 32 where the base 32A is connected to thebottom sheet 27, and each of the arms 32B is connected at opposite endsto the bottom sheet 27 and the top sheet 26. The gussets 32 areelongated, such that the U-shaped cross-section is extended in adirection between the side edges 23 and generally parallel to the headand foot edges 23 of the device 20. In this configuration, the base 32Aand the two arms 32B of each gusset 32 are formed as generally planarsheet structures that are under tension when the device 20 is inflated,and the arms 32B form walls extending between the top and bottom sheets26, 27. The gussets 32 may be connected to the sheets 26, 27 bystitching in one embodiment, and other connection techniques describedherein may additionally or alternately be used as well. In theembodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, the gussets 32 are connected alongconnection lines 33 that extend in a direction between the side edges 23and generally parallel to the head and foot edges 23 of the device 20.The connection lines 33 may be formed by stitching, adhesive, welding,and/or other connection techniques or combinations of such techniques.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-13, the ends 32C of the arms 32B ofthe gussets 32 are hemmed and stitched to the top sheet 26 along theconnection lines 33, and additional stitching is used to connect thebase 32A to the bottom sheet 27 to form connection lines 33 on thebottom sheet 27. The gussets 32 limit inflation of the inflatable body30, to give the device 20 a mattress-like shape when inflated. Thedevice 20 includes seven gussets 32 and fourteen total gusset arms 32Bin the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, but may include adifferent number of gussets 32 in another embodiment, such as to createa different inflated configuration or depending on the size of thedevice 20 and/or the width/spacing of the gussets 32. In otherembodiments, the device 20 may include a different configuration ofgussets 32, or the device 20 may include a different type ofinflation-limiting structure, such as threads, wires, narrow strips ofmaterial, etc., that connect the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 to limitinflation. For example, in one embodiment (as shown in FIG. 25), thegussets 32 may include only a single arm 32B and no base 32A

The fully inflated device 20 has a shape that is defined by theconfiguration of the edges 23 of the device 20 and the size, shape, andconfigurations of the gussets 32, among other factors. In oneembodiment, the top surface 21 of the device 20 has a peripheral cushion34 around at least some of the edges 23 of the device 20 and a centralarea 35 at least partially surrounded by the peripheral cushion 34. Forexample, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral cushion 34extends along all edges 23 of the device 20, so that the central area 35is surrounded on all sides by the peripheral cushion 34. In anotherembodiment, the peripheral cushion 34 may extend only on the left andright side edges 23 of the device 20, so that the cushion 34 borders theleft and right sides of the central area 35. The peripheral cushion 34is raised with respect to at least a portion of the central area 35 inthe embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, to resist sliding or rolling of thepatient 70 off of the device 20 when the device is inflated. The centralarea 35 also includes swells 36 extending between the stitching lines 33of the gussets 32. The bottom surface 22 of the device 20 may have asimilar structure when inflated, with a peripheral cushion 34 borderinga central area 35 with swells 36, where at least a portion of thecentral area 35 is recessed with respect to the cushion 34. It isunderstood that the inflated device 20 may have a different shape whenunder force, e.g., when a patient 70 is positioned on top of andcompressing the device 20.

The device 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 includes a pluralityof passages 37 in the bottom sheet 27 that permit air to pass from thecavity 31 to the exterior of the device 20. The passages 37 extend fromthe cavity 31 through the bottom sheet 27 to the exterior of the device20 on the bottom surface 22. Air passing through the passages 37 isforced between the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 and the surfaceupon which the device 20 sits (e.g., the supporting surface 16 of thebed 12), reducing friction between the bottom surface 22 and thesupporting surface. Passage of air through the passages 37 isillustrated in FIG. 13. This permits easier movement of the device 20when a patient 70 is positioned on the device 20, as described ingreater detail elsewhere herein. The passages 37 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 are located within the central area 35 on the bottomsurface 22, between the stitching lines 33 of the gussets 32.Additionally, in one embodiment, some or all of the passages 37 arelocated immediately below the bases 32A of one or more of the gussets32. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13, all but one of the gussets32 have passages 37 beneath their bases 32A, and all of the passages 37are located beneath one of the gussets 32. In other embodiments, all ofthe gussets 32 may have passages 37 beneath their bases 32A, or at leasta majority of the gussets 32 may have passages beneath their bases 32A.In a further embodiment, at least some (or all) of the passages 37 maybe located between the gussets 32. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.12-13, the gussets 32 (or at least the bases 32A thereof) are made froman air-permeable material, such that air passes through the bases 32A ofthe gussets 32 and downward through the passage(s) 37. The gusset bases32A in this configuration can function to limit the air flow through thepassages 37 to maintain a desired level of inflation of the device 20,as well as to diffuse the air flowing out of the passages 37 to improvethe friction-reducing properties created by the air escaping through thepassages 37. As used herein, an “air-permeable material” is a materialthat permits air to pass through, without the necessity for manuallyforming holes, passages, perforations, slits, openings, etc., in thematerial, such as by mechanical and/or laser cutting methods.

In other embodiments, the gussets 32 may be made from a material withlimited or no air permeability. In such embodiments, air can passthrough the passages 37 by passing around the lateral ends of thegussets 32 and/or through perforations that have been formed in thegusset bases 32A, or the gussets 32 may not include a base 32A, as shownin FIG. 25. The embodiment in FIG. 25 includes gussets 32 that areformed as arms 32B connected to the top and bottom sheets 26, 27,without any base 32A covering the passage 37. The device 20 in FIG. 25has a piece 47 of an air-permeable material that is separate from thegussets 32 to cover the passage 37, in order to achieve the airflowlimiting and diffusion functions described above. The separate piece 47of the air-permeable material in FIG. 25 is shown as covering a singlepassage 37, however in other embodiments, one piece 47 of theair-permeable material may cover multiple passages 37, and the device 20may include a single piece 47 of the air-permeable material that coverssome or all of the passages 37 in one embodiment. It is understood thatin various embodiments, some or all of the passages 37 generally havesome form of air-permeable material covering in order to limit anddiffuse airflow through the passage 37, which may include portions ofgussets 32, separate pieces 47 of air-permeable material, otherstructures, and/or combinations of such structures. The embodiment inFIGS. 1-13 has air-permeable material covering the passage 37 on boththe inner and outer surfaces of the bottom sheet 27, but the device 20may include air-permeable material on only the inner or outer surface ofthe bottom sheet 27 in another embodiment.

As described herein, some embodiments include at least one piece of anair-permeable material covering some or all of the passages 37, such asthe embodiments of FIGS. 1-13, FIGS. 20-24, and FIG. 26, where theair-permeable gussets 32 cover some or all of the passages 37, and theembodiment of FIG. 25, where a separate piece 47 of air-permeablematerial covers some or all of the passages 37. The permeability of suchair-permeable materials can limit or govern the rate of airflow througheach passage 37. In one embodiment, the permeability of theair-permeable material covering the passage(s) 37 is configured so thatairflow through the passages 37 is sufficiently restricted to keep thedevice 20 inflated, while also being sufficiently large to permit aneffective amount of air to pass through the passage(s) 37 to providefriction reduction between the device 20 and the supporting surface 16.When an air-permeable fabric is used in this structure, the “tightness”of the warp or weave of the material and the resultant sizes of theinterstices between the fabric threads influence the permeability of thefabric. Thus, in one embodiment, an air-permeable fabric material may beused that has a suitable average interstice size to provide the desiredlevel of permeability and airflow. A rip-stop nylon fabric material isone example of an air-permeable material that can be used for thegussets 32 and/or other pieces 47 covering the passages 37.

The overall permeability of the materials covering each passage 37(including the gusset 32, the separate piece 47 of air-permeablematerial, and/or the cover 38, depending on configuration) permits anoverall airflow rate of about 36-46 CFM (cubic feet per minute) throughthe passage 37 in one embodiment, or an overall airflow rate of 39-43CFM in another embodiment, e.g., an airflow rate of about 41 CFM. In oneembodiment, this overall airflow rate may result from a combination of agusset 32 or piece 47 of air-permeable material and a cover 38 asdescribed herein. In such an embodiment, the gusset 32 or piece 47 ofair-permeable material may have a lower permeability than the cover 38,as described herein, such as a permeability of 39-47 CFM, a permeabilityof 41-45 CFM, or a permeability of about 43 CFM, in various examples.The higher-permeability cover 38 may have a permeability of 300-500 CFM,or 350-440 CFM, or about 390 CFM, in various examples. It is understoodthat these airflow rates are calculated free of extrinsic restrictions,e.g., the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 being placed against asupporting surface 16 in use may affect the actual airflow rates throughthe passages 37 in use, which is not reflected in the reported figures.

As described herein, in one embodiment, some form of air-permeablematerial covers all of the passages 37 and limits the airflow througheach passage 37, so that the airflow rate through each of the passages37 is restricted. It is understood that in such an embodiment, the sizeof the passage 37 may affect the overall airflow rate through eachpassage 37, such as in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, which includespassages 37 of different sizes. All of the passages 37 in thisconfiguration may be covered with the same air-permeable material, ordifferent air-permeable materials with similar permeabilities, in oneembodiment. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 12-13 and 23-26, at leastsome of the passages 37 may be covered by multiple pieces ofair-permeable material, e.g., the gusset 32 and the cover 38 in FIGS.12-13, 23-24, and 26, and the piece 47 and the cover 38 in FIG. 25. Insuch a configuration, the two different pieces of air-permeable materialcovering each passage 37 may have different permeabilities, such thatthe material with the lower permeability governs the airflow ratethrough the passage 37. In other words, a passage 37 may be covered bytwo pieces of air-permeable material, where the first piece has a lowerpermeability value than the second piece and permits a lower airflowrate than the second piece. In the embodiments of FIGS. 12-13 and 23-26,the permeability of the material on the inner surface of the bottomsheet 27, i.e., the gussets 32 and the pieces 47, is lower than thepermeability of the material on the bottom surface 22, i.e., the covers38. Thus, the permeability of the gussets 32 and the pieces 47 in theseembodiments govern the airflow rate through the passages 37. In anotherembodiment, the device 20 may have an air-permeable piece connected tothe bottom surface 22 that functions to limit the airflow through thepassage 37, optionally with a second, higher-permeability piece alsoconnected to the bottom sheet 27, either on the inner surface of thebottom sheet 27 or on the bottom surface 22 above or below the firstpiece of air-permeable material. Further, it is understood that thepermeability of any materials covering the passages 37 may be greaterthan the overall permeability of the materials defining the cavity 31,e.g., the top and bottom sheets 26,27 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-26.

The passages 37 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 12-13 are arranged inlaterally-extending rows and are all circular in shape, varying in size.As seen in FIGS. 4-5, the passages 37 nearest the head and foot edges 23of the device 20 are smaller than the passages 37 closer to the middleof the device 20, with the larger passages 37 being arranged into threelateral rows of three passages 37 and one lateral row of two passages37. The device 20 may have other configurations of passages 37 in otherembodiments, including different shapes, sizes, numbers, and/orarrangements of passages 37. For example, FIGS. 14-17 illustratepotential alternate configurations of passages 37 in the device 20. FIG.17 illustrates a configuration with a combination of circular passages37 as in FIGS. 1-6 and diamond-shaped passages 37 that are elongated inthe lateral (side-to-side) direction. The device 20 in FIG. 17 has twolarge diamond passages 37, and two additional diamond passages 37 thatare progressively smaller toward the foot edge 23 of the device 20. FIG.15 illustrates a configuration with lateral rows of circular passages 37that have different sizes, with a smaller passage 37 in the center andlarger passages 37 on each side of the smaller passage 37. FIG. 16illustrates a configuration with lateral rows of circular passages 37that have different sizes, with the largest passage in the center andadditional passages 37 on both sides of the largest passage 37, growingprogressively smaller toward the side edges 23. FIG. 14 illustrates aconfiguration similar to that of FIGS. 1-6, but with passages 37 thatare smaller in size and fewer in number. It is noted that the sizes andarrangement of the passages 37 may place passages 37 occupying a greateraggregate surface area in the areas designed to be positioned beneaththe upper body and torso of the patient 70, as these areas willtypically support greater weight and can benefit from an increasedvolume of air forming the air cushion in those areas. Still furtherconfigurations are possible.

In one embodiment, the device 20 may further include covers 38 thatcover at least some of the passages 37, where the covers 38 areair-permeable and permit air to flow through them to form the aircushion beneath the device 20. The covers 38 may be connected to thebottom surface 22 of the device 20 by stitching the cover 38 to thebottom sheet 27 around the perimeter of each cover 38 in one embodiment.Other connection techniques may be used in other embodiments, includingany technique(s) described herein. The covers 38 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6 are rectangular in shape, but may have a different shape inother embodiments. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and12-13, each cover 38 covers all of the passages 37 in a lateral row, andeach cover 38 is positioned beneath a single gusset 32 and is alignedwith said gusset 32, but not all passages 37 are covered by a cover 38.In other embodiments, the size, arrangement, and number of the covers 38may be different. For example, in one embodiment, a cover 38 may covermultiple passages 37 that are spaced from each other in the head-toedirection on the device 20, and in another embodiment, the device 20 mayhave a single cover 38 or a pair of covers 38 covering some or all ofthe passages 37. As described herein, some or all of the covers 38 maybe formed of a directional stitching material 45, which is configured tointeract with contacting surfaces of the wedge(s) 50A-B and/or the bed12 to limit sliding of the device 20 in one or more directions. Thecovers 38 may therefore extend sufficiently close to both of the sideedges 23 of the device 20 that they will engage the ramp surface(s) 52of the wedge(s) 50A-B in use. The covers 38 may be positioned beneaththe upper body, torso, sacral area, and thigh areas of the patient 70,to ensure contact with the wedge(s) 50A-B. The covers 38 may furtherlimit ingress of dust, dirt, debris, etc., into the passages 37, and thecovers 38 can also function to limit the air flow through the passages37 and diffuse the air flowing out of the passages 37, as similarlydiscussed above with respect to the gussets 32. The use of two differentmaterials covering the passages 37 in this embodiment may enhance thisfunctionality. It is understood that the devices 20 in FIGS. 14-17 mayinclude covers 38 that are similar to the covers 38 in FIGS. 1-6 and12-13 discussed herein.

In other embodiments, the covers 38 may be formed from a differentmaterial, such as a different type of fabric material that may or maynot have directional friction properties. For example, in oneembodiment, the device 20 may utilize covers 38 covering one or more ofthe passages 37 that are not made of a material with directionalfriction properties, and the device 20 may have separate pieces of thedirectional stitching material 45 positioned elsewhere on the bottomsurface 22. In a further embodiment, the device 20 may not utilize anycovers 38, and the device 20 may further have pieces of the directionalstitching material 45 positioned elsewhere on the bottom surface 22.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the top surface 21 of thedevice 20 has at least a portion formed of a high-friction or grippingmaterial 24, and the bottom surface 22 has at least a portion formed ofa low-friction material 25. In one embodiment, both the top and bottomsheets 26, 27 are made from the low-friction material 25, such as byusing a low-friction sheet material, and the high-friction material 24may be connected to at least the top sheet 26. For example, thehigh-friction material 24 may be or include a coating applied to theinflatable body 30, such as a spray coating. In the embodiment of FIGS.1-6, both the top and bottom sheets 26, 27 include the coating of thehigh friction material 24, with the coating on the top sheet 26 facingoutward to form part of the top surface 21 of the device 20 and thecoating on the bottom sheet 27 facing inwardly to form a surface of thecavity 31. This coating may be a polyurethane coating that is waterproofand/or breathable in one embodiment. This inward-facing high-frictioncoating 24 on the bottom sheet 27 can resist slipping of the top andbottom sheets 26, 27 with respect to each other. In another embodiment,only the top sheet 26 has the coating of the high-friction material 24.In another embodiment, the high-friction material 24 may be in the formof one or more pieces of high-friction sheet material connected to thetop surface 21 of the inflatable body 30 in a surface-to-surface,confronting relation to form a layered structure, in variousembodiments. For example, the high friction material 24 may be a knittedmaterial, which can enhance comfort, and may be made of polyester and/oranother suitable material. The material 24 can then be treated with ahigh friction substance, such as a hot melt adhesive or appropriateplastic, which can be applied as a discontinuous coating to promotebreathability. In a further embodiment, the portion of the inflatablebody 30 forming the top surface 21 (e.g., top sheet 26) may be formed ofthe high-friction material 24, while the portion of the inflatable body30 forming the bottom surface 22 (e.g., bottom sheet 27) may be formedof the low-friction material 25. It is noted that the high-frictionmaterial 24 may form or cover the entire top surface 21 of the device 20in one embodiment, or may only form or cover a portion of the topsurface 21 in another embodiment, e.g., the low-friction material 25 mayform a portion of the top surface 21, with the edges of thehigh-friction material 24 being recessed from the edges 23 of the device20. Similarly, the low-friction material 25 may form at least a portionof the bottom surface 22 of the device 20.

As described in greater detail below, the low-friction material 25permits sliding of the device 20 in contact with the supporting surface16 of the bed 12, which may include a fitted bed sheet 15 or othersheet, and the high-friction material 24 provides increased resistanceto slipping or sliding of the patient and/or the body pad 40 on whichthe patient may be lying, in contact with the device 20. Thelow-friction material 25 may also have rip-stop properties, and may havesuitable structural strength and stability to form the primarystructural component of the device 20. The high-friction and/orlow-friction materials 24, 25 can also be treated with a waterrepellant, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In other embodiments,the high-friction and/or low-friction materials 24, 25 may include anycombination of these components, and may contain other components inaddition to or instead of these components.

Generally, the high friction material 24 has a coefficient of frictionthat is higher than the coefficient of friction of the low frictionmaterial 25. In one embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the highfriction material 24 is about 8-10 times higher than the coefficient offriction of the low friction material 25. In another embodiment, thecoefficient of friction for the high friction material 24 is between 5and 10 times higher, or at least 5 times higher, than the coefficient offriction of the low friction material 25. The coefficient of friction,as defined herein, can be measured as a direct proportion to the pullforce necessary to move either of the materials 24, 25 insurface-to-surface contact with the same third material, with the samenormal force loading. Thus, in the embodiments above, if the pull forcefor the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times greater than thepull force for the low friction material 25, with the same contactmaterial and normal loading, the coefficients of friction will also be8-10 times different. It is understood that the coefficient of frictionmay vary by the direction of the pull force, and that the coefficient offriction measured may be measured in a single direction. For example, inone embodiment, the above differentials in the coefficients of frictionof the high friction material 24 and the low friction material 25 may bemeasured as the coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25based on a pull force normal to the side edges 23 (i.e. proximate thehandles 28) and the coefficient of friction of the high frictionmaterial 24 based on a pull force normal to the top and bottom edges 23(i.e. parallel to the side edges 23).

Additionally, the coefficient of friction of the interface between thehigh-friction material 24 and the body pad 40 is greater than thecoefficient of friction of the interface between the low frictionmaterial 25 and the bed sheet or supporting surface 16. It is understoodthat the coefficients of friction for the interfaces may also bemeasured in a directional orientation, as described above. In oneembodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the highfriction material 24 is about 8-10 times higher than the coefficient offriction of the interface of the low friction material 25. In anotherembodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the highfriction material 24 is between 5 and 10 times higher, or at least 5times higher, than the coefficient of friction of the interface of thelow friction material 25. It is understood that the coefficient offriction for the interface could be modified to at least some degree bymodifying factors other than the device 20. For example, a high-frictionmaterial (e.g., substance or surface treatment) may be applied to thebottom surface 44 of the pad 40, to increase the coefficient of frictionof the interface, which may be done in addition to, or in place of,using the high-friction material 24 on the device 20. An example of acalculation of the coefficients of friction for these interfaces isdescribed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2012/0186012, published Jul. 26, 2012, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety and made part hereof, which calculationis made using a rip-stop nylon material as the low friction material 25and a knitted material treated with a hot melt adhesive as the highfriction material 24. The relative coefficients of friction of the highfriction material 24 and the low friction material 25 used in theexample calculation are also described in the aforementionedpublication.

In an alternate embodiment, the device 20 may not utilize a highfriction surface, and instead may utilize a releasable connection tosecure the pad 40 in place with respect to the device 20. For example,the device 20 and pad 40 may include complementary connections, such ashook-and-loop connectors, buttons, snaps, or other connectors. In afurther embodiment, the device 20 may be used without a pad 40, with thepatient 70 directly in contact with the top surface 21 of the sheet, andthe high-friction material 24 can still resist sliding of the patient onthe device 20.

In one embodiment, the device 20 further has a directional stitchingmaterial 45 connected to the bottom surface 22, which may be in the formof one or more additional pieces of sheet material that is formedpartially or entirely of the directional stitching material 45.Additionally, the one or more additional pieces of the directionalstitching material 45 may form at least a portion of the bottom surface22 of the device 20, with the edges of each piece being recessed fromthe edges 23 of the device 20, and with the pieces of the directionalstitching material 45 being spaced from each other. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, the device 20 has the covers 38 formed of the directionalstitching material 45, and the material of the covers 38 allows airflowthrough while also providing directional friction properties asdiscussed herein. The covers 38 may be connected to the device 20 bystitching in one embodiment, but may have additional or alternateconnections in other embodiments, including any connections describedherein. In another embodiment, the device 20 may have separate pieces ofdirectional stitching material 45 on the bottom surface 22, and thecovers 38 may be made of a different type of material, or may be absent.

The directional stitching material 45 on the bottom surface 22 of thedevice 20, e.g., the covers 38 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, formsengagement members 61 of a selective gliding assembly 60 (which may bereferred to as “sheet engagement members”), to permit movement of thedevice 20 in desired directions and resist movement of the device 20 inundesired directions. It is understood that in another embodiment, thedevice 20 may have one or more such engagement members 61 on the bottomsurface 22 that are not configured as covers 38 for the passages 37, andsuch an embodiment may additionally have covers 38 that may or may notbe formed of a directional glide material 45, or such an embodiment mayhave no covers 38. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the axis B (alongwhich gliding is resisted) is oriented to extend between the top andbottom edges 23 and parallel to the side edges 23, and the axis A (alongwhich gliding is allowed) is oriented to extend between the side edges23 and parallel to the top and bottom edges 23, as shown in FIGS. 18-19.When the wedge(s) 50A-B are inserted in position as shown in FIG. 6,then relative to the wedge(s) 50A-B, the axis B is oriented to extendparallel to at least one of the front end 57 (or the apex 55) and theback wall 53 of the wedge and/or between the side walls 54, and the axisA is oriented to extend between the front end 57 and the back wall 53 ofthe wedge and/or parallel to the side walls 54. This arrangement isillustrated schematically in FIG. 18. In a further embodiment, one ormore of the engagement members 61 may be formed of a differentdirectionally-oriented material, and/or may be oriented to allow/resistgliding in different directions. For example, if the orientations of theengagement members 61 as depicted in FIG. 18 are turned 90°, thenmovement in a direction extending between the side edges 23 and parallelto the top and bottom edges 23 would be resisted, and movement in adirection extending between the top and bottom edges 23 and parallel tothe side edges 23 would be allowed.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the device 20 may alsoinclude one or more handles 28, 48 to facilitate pulling and othermovement of the device 20. Such handles 28, 48 may be configured formultiple different types of movement, including “boosting” the patient70 on the bed 12 (i.e., moving the patient 70 toward the head 13),positioning the patient 70 on the bed 12, pulling the patient 70 up ontothe wedges 50A-B, moving the patient 70 from one bed 12 or other surfaceto another, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the device 20 has handles 28formed by strips 29A-B of a strong material that are connected (e.g.,stitched) in periodic fashion to the bottom surface 22 at or around bothside edges 23 of the device 20, as well as the top edge 23 of thedevice. The non-connected portions can be separated slightly from thedevice 20 to allow a user's hands 76 to slip underneath, and therebyform the handles 28. The handles 28 formed by the strips 29A on the sideedges 23 of the device 20 are useful for pulling the device 20laterally, to move the patient 70 laterally on the bed 12. The device 20also includes handles 48 in the form of flaps that are connected (e.g.,stitched) to the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 and extend outwardlyfrom the device 20. The handles 48 extend generally outward from theside edges 23 of the device 20, and in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, thedevice 20 has two handles 48 on each side. The handles 48 may alsoinclude strips 29A of the same material as the handles 28, to provide apoint for gripping. In other embodiments, a larger or smaller number ofhandles 48 may be used. The handles 28, 48 may be useful for moving thedevice 20 and the patient 70 in many different ways, including pullingthe device 20 laterally, turning the patient 70, and/or pulling thedevice 20 toward the head 13 of the bed 12 to “boost” the patient 70 anddevice 20 if they begin to slide toward the foot 17 of the bed 12, whichmay tend to happen especially when the patient 70 is inclined. Inparticular, the handles 48 extending from the sides 23 of the device 20are constructed to facilitate rolling of the patient 70, and the widebase of the handles 48 spreads the force exerted on the device 20 over alarger area, which puts less pressure on the patient 70 during rolling.In other embodiments, the device 20 may include a different number orconfiguration of the handles 28, 48 as described above. Further, thehandles 28, 48 may be connected to the device 20 in a different way,such as by heat welding, sonic welding, adhesive, etc. Other types ofhandles may be utilized in further embodiments.

The device 20 may be inflated by connection to an air output 81 asillustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11. The device 20 may include one or moreinflation ports 80 for connection to the air output 81. It is understoodthat a device 20 with multiple ports 80 may include ports 80 on one ormore different edges 23 of the device 20, and that the port(s) 80 may bealong any edge 23 of the device 20. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and9-11, the device 20 includes two inflation ports 80, each located alongone of the side edges 23 of the device 20, proximate the foot edge 23.Generally, only one of the inflation ports 80 is used at a time, and thedual ports 80 provide for use in diverse arrangements, although bothports 80 could be used simultaneously. In one embodiment, each of theports 80 includes an opening 82 configured to receive a portion of theair output 81 and a retaining mechanism 83 configured to retain theportion of the air output 81 within the opening 82. The retainingmechanism 83 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11 is a strap thatwraps around the opening 82 and fastens to itself by a hook-and-loopfastener, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11. Other fasteners could be used,such as snaps, buttons, ties, etc. The air output 81 illustrated inFIGS. 1-6 and 9-11 is a hose that may be connected to a pump 90 (seeFIGS. 27-29) that pumps air through the air output 81. As shown in FIGS.1-6 and 9-11, the air output 81 (hose) is received within the opening82, and the retaining mechanism 83 (strap) is fastened to secure the airoutput 81 in place.

The device 20 may also have a valve 84 in communication with the port80, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 9. The valve 84 in this embodimentis formed by a pocket 85 that is positioned within the cavity 31 and hasan entrance opening 86 in communication with the opening 82 of the port80 and at least one exit opening 87 in communication with the cavity 31.The pocket 85 may be formed by one or more sheets 88 of flexiblematerial that are folded and/or connected together to define the pocket85 in the desired shape. Additionally, the pocket 85 may be connected tothe inner surfaces of the cavity 31 by stitching or another techniquedescribed herein. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5 and 9, the pocket 85 isstitched to the inside of the device 20 only around the port 80, and therest of the pocket 85 is free within the cavity 31. The exit opening(s)87 may be spaced from the entrance opening 86 so that air must flowthrough the pocket 85 to reach the cavity 31. In this configuration,airflow through the port 80 passes through the valve 84 by flowing fromthe port 80 through the entrance opening 86, then through the pocket 85and out through the exit opening 87 into the cavity 31. The pocket 85 inthe embodiment of FIGS. 3-5 and 9 has two branches 89 extending awayfrom each other, e.g., to form an L-shape, and the exit openings 87 arelocated near the ends of the branches 89 to space them from the entranceopening and from each other 86. The valve 84 may perform multiplefunctions. For example, the pocket 85 may compress when there is noinward airflow through the entrance opening 86, thus resisting orpreventing reverse airflow through the valve 84 and the port 80 when theport 80 is not being used for inflation (i.e., when another port 80 isbeing used). As another example, the valve 84 reduces noise anddispersion of the air during inflation. As a further example, the pocket85 may also protect the air output 81 from contact with dirt, dust,debris, and other matter that may be present within the cavity 31. Asyet another example, the positioning of the exit openings 87 in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 9 makes it difficult orimpossible for the patient's leg to rest on top of both of the exitopenings 87 of a single valve 84, which could impede air flow throughthe valve 84. In other embodiments, the valve 84 may be differentlyconfigured, such as by having a different shape, a greater or smallernumber of exit openings 87, etc. It is understood that the valve 84 andother inflation components of the system 10 are described for use withair, but may be used with any suitable gas. Accordingly, terms such as“air” and “airflow” as used herein may refer to any suitable gas.

One embodiment of the pump 90 is shown in FIG. 29. The pump 90 in thisembodiment has a hose (not shown) that functions as the air output 81,as described above. Additionally, the pump 90 has an attachmentmechanism 91 that is configured to releasably attach the pump 90 to astructure 92, such as a railing of the bed 12. The use of the attachmentmechanism 91 may prevent the pump 90 from moving around during use andpotentially dislodging the air output 81 from the port 80 and may keepthe pump 90 out of the way of caregivers who may try to maneuver aroundthe bed 12 to deliver care to the patient 70. In the embodiment of FIG.29, the attachment mechanism 91 is a T-shaped bar that is connected tothe pump by a hinge 93 and has two arms 94 with hooks 95 at the endsthereof. These hooks 95 allow either arm to be connected to a structure92 to hang the pump 90 from the structure 92, as shown in FIG. 29. Inother embodiments, the pump 90 may include a differently configuredattachment mechanism 91.

Another embodiment of the pump 90 is shown in FIGS. 27-28. In thisembodiment, the pump 90 is configured for sitting on the floor or othersurface in multiple different configurations. The pump 90 in FIGS. 27-28includes wheels 96 for mobility, and the wheels 96 are placed along thelongest dimension of the pump 90, such that the pump 90 is configured tosit in a low-profile configuration when sitting on the wheels 96. Thislow-profile configuration may permit the pump 90 to sit under the bed 12and out of the way when not in use. The pump 90 also includes a standingbase 97 configured to support the pump 90 in a standing configuration sothat the wheels 96 do not contact the ground and the pump 90 does notmove freely. The base 97 may also be configured to provide a structurefor the power cord 98 to wrap around, as shown in FIGS. 27-28. The pump90 may further include a strap 99 for holding the air output hose 81when not in use and/or to function as an attachment mechanism 91 forattachment to a structure 92, such as the bed 12. In another embodiment,the pump 90 may include a clip or other form of attachment (not shown)that can be used to hold the air output hose 81 in place This clip orattachment may be magnetic, so as to hold the air output hose 81 inplace by attraction to a metal wire or other metallic material used inthe air output hose 81. It is understood that in other embodiments, thepump 90 may include a combination of features of the embodiment in FIG.29 and the embodiment in FIGS. 27-28, or may include additionalfeatures. For example, in other embodiments, the pump 90 of FIGS. 27-28may include an attachment mechanism 91, such as a carabiner clip (notshown) or an attachment mechanism 91 configured as in the embodiment ofFIG. 29, or the pump 90 of FIG. 29 may include wheels 96 or a standingbase 97 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 27-28. As another example, thepump 90 may include one or more switches (not shown) for powering thepump 90 on/off and potentially other controls as well. Such a switch orswitches may include one or more hard-wired switches and/or remoteswitches (e.g., an RF switch).

The body pad 40 is typically made from a different material than thedevice 20 and contains an absorbent material, along with possibly othermaterials as well. The pad 40 provides a resting surface for thepatient, and can absorb fluids that may be generated by the patient. Thepad 40 may also be a low-lint pad, for less risk of wound contamination,and is typically disposable and replaceable, such as when soiled. Thetop and bottom surfaces 42, 44 may have the same or differentcoefficients of friction. Additionally, the pad 40 illustrated in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-2 is approximately the same width and slightlyshorter in length as the device 20, and both the device 20 and the pad40 are approximately the same width as the bed 12 so that the edges 23of the device 20 and the edges of the pad 40 are proximate the sideedges of the bed 12, but may be a different size in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, the pad 40 may form an effective barrier to fluidpassage on one side (e.g., the underside 44), in order to prevent thedevice 20 from being soiled, and may also be breathable, in order topermit flow of air, heat, and moisture vapor away from the patient andlessen the risk of pressure ulcers (bed sores). The device 20 (or atleast the top sheet 26 thereof) may also be breathable to perform thesame function, as described above. A breathable device 20 used inconjunction with a breathable pad 40 can also benefit from use with aLAL bed 12, to allow air, heat, and moisture vapor to flow away from thepatient more effectively, and to enable creation of an optimalmicroclimate around the patient. The pad 40 may have differentlyconfigured top and bottom surfaces 42, 44, with the top surface 42 beingconfigured for contact with the patient and the bottom surface 44 beingconfigured for contact with the device 20.

The system 10 may include one or more wedges 50A-B that can bepositioned under the device 20 to provide a ramp and support to slideand position the patient slightly on his/her side, as described below.FIGS. 2 and 6-8A illustrate example embodiments of wedges 50A-B that canbe used in conjunction with the system 10. The wedge 50A-B has a body 56that can be triangular in shape, having a base wall or base surface 51,a ramp surface 52 that is positioned at an oblique angle to the basewall 51, a back wall 53, and side walls 54. In this embodiment, the basewall 51 and the ramp surface 52 meet at an oblique angle to form an apex55 at the front end 57 of the wedge 50A-B, and the back wall 53 ispositioned opposite the front end 57 and the apex 55 and approximatelyperpendicular to the ramp surface 52. The apex 55 may be the smallestangle of any of the corners of the wedge 50A-B, in one embodiment. It isunderstood that the term “apex” does not necessarily imply that thesurfaces (e.g., the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52) directly jointo form a point or an angular edge, and that the “apex” as describedherein may be an identifiable surface (e.g., rounded, beveled,flattened, etc.). FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate example embodiments ofwedges 50A-B that have an apex 55 that is flattened or beveled (FIG. 8B)or significantly rounded (FIG. 8C). The side walls 54 in this embodimentare triangular in shape and join at approximately perpendicular anglesto the base wall 51, the ramp surface 52, and the back wall 53. In thisembodiment, the surfaces 51, 52, 53, 54 of the wedge body 56 are allapproximately planar when not subjected to stress, but in otherembodiments, one or more of the surfaces 51, 52, 53, 54 may be curved orrounded. FIG. 8D illustrates an example embodiment of a wedge 50A-Bwhere the ramp surface 52 has a curved contour. Any of the edges betweenthe surfaces 51, 52, 53, 54 of the wedge body 56 may likewise be curvedor rounded, including at the apex 55.

The wedge body 56 in this embodiment is at least somewhat compressibleor deformable, in order to provide greater patient comfort and ease ofuse. Any appropriate compressible material may be used for the wedgebody 56, including various polymer foam materials, such as apolyethylene and/or polyether foam. A particular compressible materialmay be selected for its specific firmness and/or compressibility, and inone embodiment, the wedge body 56 is made of a foam that has relativelyuniform compressibility. In another embodiment, the wedge body 56 may bemade partially or completely from a different material, includingsubstantially non-compressible materials. For example, the wedge body 56may be made entirely from a substantially non-compressible material, orthe wedge body 56 may have a substantially non-compressible core with ashell of a compressible material around the core, in variousembodiments.

The wedge 50A-B is configured to be positioned under the device 20 andthe patient, to position the patient at an angle, as described ingreater detail below. In this position, the base wall 51 of the wedge50A-B faces downward and engages or confronts the supporting surface 16of the bed 12, and the ramp surface 52 faces toward the device 20 andthe patient and partially supports at least a portion of the weight ofthe patient. The angle of the apex 55 between the base wall 51 and theramp surface 52 influences the angle at which the patient is positionedwhen the wedge 50A-B is used. In one embodiment, the angle between thebase wall 51 and the ramp surface 52 may be up to 45°, or between 15°and 35° in another embodiment, or about 30° in a further embodiment, asshown in FIG. 8A. Positioning a patient at an angle of approximately 30°is currently clinically recommended, and thus, a wedge 50A-B having anangle of approximately 30° may be the most effective for use inpositioning most immobile patients. If clinical recommendations change,then a wedge 50A-B having a different angle may be considered to be themost effective. The wedge 50A-B may be constructed with a differentangle as desired in other embodiments. It is understood that the device20 may be usable without the wedges 50A-B, or with another type ofwedge, including any commercially available wedges, or with pillows in atraditional manner. For example, the device 20 may be usable with asingle wedge 50A-B having a greater length, or a number of smallerwedges 50A-B, rather than two wedges 50A-B, in one embodiment. Asanother example, two wedges 50A-B may be connected together by a narrowbridge section or similar structure in another embodiment. It is alsounderstood that the wedge(s) 50A-B may have utility for positioning apatient independently and apart from the device 20 or other componentsof the system 10, and may be used in different positions and locationsthan those described and illustrated herein.

In one embodiment, the wedges 50A-B may have a directionally-orientedmaterial (e.g., a directional stitching material 45, directional glidematerial, etc.) covering at least a portion of the ramp surface 52, andpotentially other surfaces as well. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 6-8, the wedges 50A-B have the directional stitchingmaterial 45 covering the ramp surface 52. In another embodiment, thedirectional stitching material 45 may additionally or alternately coverthe base wall 51, the back wall 53, and/or the side walls 54. Thedirectional stitching material 45 in this embodiment forms an engagementmember 62 (which may be referred to as a “ramp engagement member”) of aselective gliding assembly 60 on the ramp surface 52. In thisembodiment, the directional stitching material 45 on the ramp surface 52has the axis B (along which gliding is resisted) extending between theside walls 54 and parallel to the front end 57 and/or the apex 55, asillustrated in FIG. 18. Accordingly, the axis A (along which gliding isallowed) extends perpendicular to the front end 57 and/or the apex 55and parallel to the side walls 54 in this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 18. In this arrangement, the directional stitching material 45resists movement of the wedges 50A-B in directions parallel to the rampsurface 52 and perpendicular to the side walls 54, as described ingreater detail herein. Similarly, the directional stitching material 45resists movement of another surface in contact with the directionalstitching material 45 (e.g., the bottom surface 22 of the device 20)relative to the wedges 50A-B in directions along to the ramp surface 52(i.e., parallel to the front end 57, the apex 55 and/or the back wall51) and perpendicular to the side walls 54. The directional stitchingmaterial 45 also engages the engagement members 61 of the directionalstitching material 45 on the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 toenhance the selective gliding effect of the selective gliding assembly.This arrangement is illustrated schematically in FIG. 18. The othersurfaces (e.g., the base wall 51, the back wall 53, and the side walls54) of the wedges 50A-B are covered by a wrapping material 43 in theembodiment of FIGS. 2 and 6-8. This wrapping material 43 may be ataffeta fabric or other suitable material. In another embodiment, one ormore of these surfaces may not be covered by any material, so that theinner material of the wedges 50A-B is exposed, or one or more of thesesurfaces may be partially covered by a material.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the wedges 50A-B alsohave engagement members 64 in the form of patches of a directional glidematerial 49 located on one or more surfaces. The wedges 50A,Billustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8 have engagement members 64 of thedirectional glide material 49 located on the ramp surface 52 and thebase wall 51 (which may also be referred to as a “ramp engagementmember” and a “base engagement member,” respectively). In anotherembodiment, one of the wedges 50B may have an engagement member 64 ofthe directional glide material 49 located on the ramp surface 52, butnot on the base wall 51. Each of the engagement members 64 in thisembodiment have the directional glide material 49 oriented so that thedirection C of allowed movement of another surface with respect to thebase wall 51 or the ramp surface 52 extends from the front end 57 and/orthe apex 55 toward the back wall 53, as illustrated in FIG. 18. Forexample, for a brushed nylon fiber material, the fibers would be angledtoward the back wall 53, so that gliding over the engagement member 64in the direction C from the front end 57 and/or the apex 55 toward theback wall 53 is free, while gliding in the opposite direction D from theback wall 53 toward the front end 57 and/or the apex 55 is resisted. Itis understood that this gliding is explained above with respect to themovement of another surface in contact with the directional glidematerial 49 (e.g., the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 or the bedsheet 15) relative to the wedge 50A-B. This same directionalrelationship can alternately be expressed as resisting movement of thewedge 50A-B with respect to the other surface in a direction from thefront end 57 and/or the apex 55 toward the back wall 53 (e.g., resistingthe wedge 50A-B from moving away from the patient), while allowing freegliding of the wedge 50A-B with respect to the other surface in adirection from the back wall 53 toward the front end 57 and/or the apex55 (e.g., allowing easy insertion of the wedge 50A-B beneath the device20).

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the patches of thedirectional glide material 49 covered only a portion of the surfaces 51,52 on which they were located, such that the edges of the directionalglide material 49 are spaced from the edges of the respective surfaceson which they are located. In this configuration, the amount of thedirectional glide material 49 is sufficient to provide good resistanceto unwanted slipping, but is not excessively expensive and leaves partof the directional stitching material 45 on the ramp surface 52 exposedto provide further functionality. For example, in one embodiment, thedirectional glide material 49 may cover approximately 20-40% of thesurface area of the respective surface on which it is disposed, and inanother embodiment, the directional glide material 49 may coverapproximately 25-30% of the respective surface. In other embodiments,the directional glide material 49 may be located, sized, and/or orienteddifferently, and generally cover at least a portion of the surfaces onwhich they are located. Additionally, each of the patches of thedirectional glide material 49 may have a border to help resist abrasion,fraying, and or other wear, as shown in FIGS. 7-8. Such a border may becreated by stitching (e.g., serge stitch), addition of a durablematerial, or other technique. Further, each of the patches of thedirectional glide material 49 may be connected to the wedge 50A-B bystitching, adhesive or other bonding, and/or other techniques. Theengagement members 64 may have other configurations in otherembodiments, including using different types of directionally-orientedmaterials.

As described above, the engagement members 62 of the directionalstitching material 45 on the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B engagethe engagement members 61 of the directional stitching material 45 onthe bottom surface 22 of the device 20 to enhance the selective glidingeffect of the selective gliding assembly 60. This engagement resistsmovement of the device 20 with respect to the wedges 50A-B along theaxis B, and particularly, in the direction from the top edge 23 to thebottom edge 23 of the device 20, or in other words, from the head 13 tothe foot 17 of the bed 12. In one embodiment, the directional stitchingmaterial 45 sliding upon another piece of the same material provides aresistance to sliding along the axis B on both pieces of material thatis at least 3× greater (e.g., 3.6× in one embodiment) than theresistance to sliding along the axis A on both pieces of material. Inother embodiments, the directional stitching material 45 sliding uponanother piece of the same material provides a resistance to slidingalong the axis B on both pieces of material that is at least 2× greater,or at least 2.5× greater, than the resistance to sliding along the axisA on both pieces of material. These and all other relative measurementsof resistance to sliding described herein may be calculated using ASTMD1894. Additionally, the engagement members 64 of the directional glidematerial 49 engage the engagement members 61 of the directionalstitching material 45 on the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 toresist movement of the device 20 with respect to the wedges opposite tothe direction C, from the back wall 53 toward the front end 57 and/orthe apex 55 of the wedges 50A-B, or in other words, to resist sliding ofthe device 20 down the slope of the ramp surface 52. In one embodiment,the directional stitching material 45 sliding upon the directional glidematerial 49 along the axis A of the material 45 and in the direction Dof the material 49 provides a resistance to sliding that is at least 3×greater (e.g., 3.5× in one embodiment) than the resistance to slidingalong the axis A and in the direction C. In another embodiment, thedirectional stitching material 45 sliding upon the directional glidematerial 49 along the axis A of the material 45 and in the direction Dof the material 49 provides a resistance to sliding that is at least 2×greater, or at least 2.5× greater, than the resistance to sliding alongthe axis A and in the direction C. Additionally, in one embodiment, thedirectional stitching material 45 sliding upon the directional glidematerial 49 along the axis B of the material 45 (perpendicular to thedirections C and D of the material 49) provides a resistance to slidingthat is at least 3.5× greater (e.g., 4.1× in one embodiment) than theresistance to sliding along the axis A and in the direction C. Inanother embodiment, the directional stitching material 45 sliding uponthe directional glide material 49 along the axis B of the material 45(perpendicular to the directions C and D of the material 49) provides aresistance to sliding that is at least 2× greater, at least 2.5×greater, or at least 3× greater, than the resistance to sliding alongthe axis A and in the direction C.

The combination of these engagements between the engagement members 61,62, 64 creates a selective gliding assembly 60 with a “one-way” glidingarrangement between the device 20 and the wedges 50A-B, where the device20 can only freely move in the direction C toward the back walls 53 ofthe wedges 50A-B, which allows the device 20 and the patient 70 to bepulled up onto the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B withoutresistance, as described herein. The engagement member 64 of thedirectional glide material 49 on the base wall 51 of the wedge 50A,Balso resists sliding of the wedge 50A,B away from the front end 57and/or the apex 55, or in other words, resists sliding of the wedge50A,B out from underneath the device 20. In one embodiment, thedirectional glide material 49 sliding against a typical bed sheetmaterial in the direction D provides a resistance to sliding that is atleast 2.5× greater (e.g., 2.9× in one embodiment) than the resistance tosliding in the direction C. Additionally, in one embodiment, thedirectional glide material 49 sliding against a typical bed sheetmaterial perpendicular to the directions C and D (i.e. toward the foot17 of the bed 12) also provides a resistance to sliding that is at least2.5× greater (e.g., 2.5× in one embodiment) than the resistance tosliding in the direction C. The base walls 51 of the wedges 50A-B mayalso include a material or feature to offer some resistance to slidingof the wedges 50A-B along the axis B in one embodiment, andparticularly, in the direction from the top edge 23 to the bottom edge23 of the device 20, or in other words, from the head 13 to the foot 17of the bed 12. For example, a directional stitching material 45 oranother directionally-oriented material may be used for this purpose.The resistance to sliding provided by such material may be less than theresistance of the selective gliding assemblies 60 between the device 20and the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B, such that the device 20will not be encouraged to slide relative to the wedges 50A-B, and thedevice 20, the pad 40, the wedges 50A-B, and the patient 70 may movetogether without slipping relative to one another.

As described herein, the selective gliding assemblies 60 can resistmovement in one or more directions and allow free movement in one ormore different directions, which may be transverse or opposed to eachother. It is understood that the “resistance” to sliding may beexpressed using a difference in pull force necessary to create slidingmovement between the same pieces of material in different directions.For example, if a selective gliding assembly is considered to “resist”sliding in one direction and “allow” sliding in another direction, thismay be determined by having a relatively greater pull force necessary tocreate sliding movement between two engaging materials in the formerdirection and a relatively smaller pull force necessary to createsliding movement between the same two materials in the latter direction.The difference in resistance may be expressed quantitatively as well,such as described elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, a selectivegliding assembly 60 may resist movement in one direction and may allowmovement in another direction that is opposed (i.e., angled 180° to) thefirst direction. In another embodiment, a selective gliding assembly 60may resist movement in one direction and may allow movement in anotherdirection angled 90° to the first direction. In a further embodiment, aselective gliding assembly 60 may allow movement in one direction andmay resist movement in at least two other directions angled 90° and 180°to the first direction. Still further types of directional glidingassemblies 60 may be constructed using materials as described hereinand/or additional materials with directional properties.

In other embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include a different type ofsupporting device other than the wedges 50A-B illustrated in FIGS. 2 and6-8, such as a different type or configuration of wedge or a differenttype of supporting device. For example, the wedges 50A-B may be joinedtogether to form a single wedge in one embodiment, which may include agap at the sacral area. As another example, the system 10 may include asupporting device in the form of a pillow or cushion. It is understoodthat any supporting device for turning patients 70 that may be includedwith the system 10 may include any of the features of the wedges 50A-Bdescribed herein, including the engagement members 62, 64 for formingselective glide assemblies 60.

FIGS. 20-24 illustrate another embodiment of an inflatable patientsupport device 20 for use in connection with a system or apparatus 10 asdescribed above. It is understood that the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 maybe used in connection with the wedges 50A-B, the absorbent body pad 40,and other components of the system 10 as described elsewhere herein, andthe use of the device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 in connection with these othercomponents is not illustrated or described in detail herein for the sakeof brevity. Additionally, the device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 includes manycomponents and features that are similar or identical to the componentsand features of the device 20 described herein with respect to otherembodiments, e.g., the embodiment in FIGS. 1-13. Such similar oridentical components are referred to using similar reference numbers andmay not be described again in detail with respect to FIGS. 20-24, forthe sake of brevity. Thus, it is understood that the device 20 in FIGS.20-24 may include any of the components, features, or variations thereofdescribed elsewhere herein with respect to other embodiments.

The top and bottom sheets 26, 27 of the device 20 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 20-24 have rectangular shapes, giving the device 20 a rectangularouter shape, such that the head edge 23 is straight, rather than angularin shape. The device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 has the gusset 32 most proximateto the head edge 23 of the device 20 spaced more closely to the headedge 23, as compared the similarly-positioned gusset 32 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-13. As a result, the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24undergoes a comparatively smaller degree of inflation near the head edge23, as shown in FIG. 23, creating a sloping shape between the head edge23 and the closest gusset 32 when the device is inflated. Thisconfiguration permits the patient's head to rest more comfortably andnaturally on the device 20.

The device 20 in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 is smaller than thedevice 20 in FIGS. 1-13, allowing greater freedom of movement of thedevice 20 and the patient when placed on a bed 12. Fewer gussets 32 areincluded in this embodiment relative to the device of FIGS. 1-13, due atleast partially to the smaller size. As illustrated in FIGS. 20-23, thedevice has five gussets 32 and ten total gusset arms 32B, as opposed tothe seven gussets 32 and fourteen total gusset arms 32B in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-13. The heights of the gusset arms 32B are alsosmaller in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24, relative to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-13, creating a shorter inflation height and a relatively largerperipheral cushion 34, which may improve stability. The spacing betweenthe gussets 32 in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 is equal orsubstantially equal to the spacing between the gusset arms 32B (i.e.,the width of the gusset bases 32A). Additionally, the lateral ends ofthe gussets 32 in the embodiment of FIGS. 20-24 are spaced inwardly fromthe side edges 23 of the device 20 to create the peripheral cushion 34,as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13. The device 20 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 20-24 includes four covers 38, with one cover 38 positioned overeach of four passages 37. The covers 38 in this embodiment are made ofan air-permeable material with directional friction properties (e.g., adirectional glide material 45), and the covers 38 may have any or all ofthe capabilities identified herein with respect to the covers 38 inFIGS. 1-13, including the ability to function as engagement members 61for a selective gliding assembly 60.

The passages 37 in the device 20 of FIGS. 20-24 are diamond-shaped orotherwise tapered in width from the center of each passage 37 to theends of the passage 37, similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 17.In another embodiment, the passages 37 may have a different shape (i.e.,other than a diamond) that has a width that is greater proximate thecenter of the device 20 and smaller proximate the side edges 23 of thedevice 20. Such a tapered-width configuration assists in airflowcontrol, to prevent excess air loss when lifting of the side edges 23 ofthe device 20. Normally, the passages 37 are pressed against thesupporting surface 16 of the bed 12, which limits airflow through thepassages 37 to maintain inflation of the device 20. When a portion ofthe device 20 is lifted, part of the passage 37 will not be covered byany surface, allowing increased airflow through the passage 37. When thepassages 37 have a tapered width as shown in FIGS. 20-24, lifting aportion of the device 20 near one of the side edges 23 (which isfrequently done during use, such as to insert the wedges 50A-B) willonly uncover a small area of the passage 37, thus limiting air escape.At the same time, the overall size of the passage 37 provides thedesired overall level of airflow through the passage 37 to ensure properinflation and a suitable air cushion for moving the device 20.Additionally, the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 has larger passages 37 in thearea configured to be positioned under the upper body and torso of thepatient and smaller passages 37 in the areas configured to be positionedunder the head and the lower body of the patient. As described above,this creates a passage 37 configuration with a greater aggregate surfacearea of passages 37 in the areas designed to be positioned beneath theupper body and torso of the patient 70, as these areas will typicallysupport greater weight and can benefit from an increased volume of airforming the air cushion in those areas.

The structure and function of the device 20 in FIGS. 20-24 is, in otheraspects, generally similar to the structure and function of the otherembodiments in FIGS. 1-19 described herein. In particular, the device 20in FIGS. 20-24 is configured for use with the wedges 50A-B and the pump90 in the same manners described elsewhere herein.

FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of an inflatable patient supportdevice 20 for use in connection with a system 10 as described above. Itis understood that the device 20 in FIG. 26 may be used in connectionwith the wedges 50A-B, the absorbent body pad 40, and other componentsof the system 10 as described elsewhere herein, and the use of thedevice 20 of FIG. 26 in connection with these other components is notillustrated or described in detail herein for the sake of brevity.Additionally, the device 20 of FIG. 26 includes many components andfeatures that are similar or identical to the components and features ofthe device 20 described herein with respect to other embodiments, e.g.,the embodiments in FIGS. 1-13 and FIGS. 20-24. Such similar or identicalcomponents are referred to using similar reference numbers and may notbe described again in detail with respect to FIG. 26, for the sake ofbrevity. Thus, it is understood that the device 20 in FIG. 26 mayinclude any of the components, features, or variations thereof describedelsewhere herein with respect to other embodiments.

The device 20 in FIG. 26 has gussets 32 that extend lengthwise in thehead-to-foot direction (i.e., substantially parallel to the side edges23), rather than in the lateral (side-to-side) direction as in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-17 and 20-24. The device 20 in this embodimenthas three gussets 32 with a total of six gusset arms 32B extendingbetween the top and bottom sheets 26, 27. The total area covered by thegussets 32 and the spacing between the gussets 32 and the edges 23 ofthe device 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 26 are similar to that of theembodiment in FIGS. 20-24, such that a peripheral cushion 34 of similarsize is formed around the central area 35. Additionally, the gussets 32are closer to the head edge 23 than the foot edge 23 in the embodimentof FIG. 26, in order to form a sloping shape between the head edge 23and the ends of the gussets 32 when the device 20 is inflated.

The device 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 26 has passages 37 that arepositioned beneath the bases 32A of the gussets 32, so that the gussets32 cover the passages 37 as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 and 20-24described above. The passages 37 in this embodiment are illustrated asround passages 37 arranged in lateral rows, similar to the passages 37in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13. In other embodiments, the passages 37may be shaped and/or placed in a different configuration, and additionalpieces 47 of air permeable material may be used to cover the passages 37or portions of the passages 37 as necessary, such as shown in FIG. 25.For example, the gussets 32 may not include bases 32A in one embodiment,and any or all of the passages 37 may be covered with additional pieces47 of air permeable material. The device 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 26also has air permeable covers 38 on the bottom surface 22 covering allof the passages 37, with each cover 38 extending laterally to cover arow of three passages 37. The covers 38 in the embodiment of FIG. 26 mayhave any or all of the capabilities identified herein with respect tothe covers 38 in FIGS. 1-13 and 20-24, including the ability to functionas engagement members 61 for a selective gliding assembly 60.

The structure and function of the device 20 in FIG. 26 is, in otheraspects, generally similar to the structure and function of the otherembodiments in FIGS. 1-25 described herein. In particular, the device 20in FIG. 26 is configured for use with the wedges 50A-B and the pump 90in the same manners described elsewhere herein.

All or some of the components of the system 10 can be provided in a kit,which may be in a pre-packaged arrangement, as described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0186012, published Jul. 26, 2012, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and made parthereof. For example, the device 20 (deflated) and the pad 40 may beprovided in a pre-folded arrangement or assembly, with the pad 40positioned in confronting relation with the top surface 21 of the device20, in approximately the same position that they would be positioned inuse, and the device 20 and pad 40 can be pre-folded to form a pre-foldedassembly. This pre-folded assembly can be unfolded when placed beneath apatient. It is understood that different folding patterns can be used.The pre-folded device 20 and pad 40 can then be unfolded together on thebed 12, as described below, in order to facilitate use of the system 10.Additionally, the device 20 and the pad 40 can be packaged together, bywrapping with a packaging material to form a package, and may be placedin the pre-folded assembly before packaging. The one or more wedges 50and/or the pump 90 may also be included in the package, in oneembodiment. Other packaging arrangements may be used in otherembodiments.

An example embodiment of a method for utilizing the system 10 isillustrated in part in FIG. 6 with respect to the embodiment in FIGS.1-13. It is understood that the other embodiments shown and describedherein, e.g., as in FIGS. 14-26, may be utilized in the same or asimilar method, with the same or similar functionality. As describedabove, the device 20 and the pad 40 may be provided as a pre-foldedassembly, and the device 20 and pad 40 together may be placed beneaththe patient in a pre-folded state. Examples of methods for placing thedevice 20 and the pad 40 beneath the patient and for removing andreplacing the pad 40 are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,533,which is incorporated by reference herein. Once the device 20 and thepad 40 are placed beneath the patient 70, the device 20 can be inflated,by connecting the air output 81 to one of the inflation ports 80 andthen fastening the retaining mechanism 83 to secure the connection. Aircan then be pumped into the device 20 through the air output 81.Deflation can be accomplished by simply shutting off and/or removing theair output 81.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a method for placing thepatient in an angled resting position by placing two wedges 50A-B underthe patient 70 resting on an inflated device 20. The method is used witha patient 70 lying on a bed 12 as described above, having a bed sheet(e.g., a fitted sheet) on the supporting surface 16, with the device 20and pad 40 of the system 10 lying on top of the bed sheet and thepatient 70 lying on the pad 40. In this embodiment, the wedges 50A-B arepositioned on top of the bed sheet, such that the bed sheet contacts thebase wall 51 of the wedge 50A-B, and the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges50A-B contact the device 20. It is understood that no bed sheet or othercover for the mattress 18 may be present in some embodiments, in whichcase the wedges 50 can be placed directly on the mattress 18. As shownin FIG. 6, the edge of the device 20 is lifted, and the wedges 50A-B areinserted from the side of the bed 12 under the device 20 toward thepatient 70. The patient 70 may be rolled all the way onto his/her sidefor insertion of the wedges 50A-B in one embodiment. At this point, atleast the apex 55 of each wedge 50A-B may be pushed toward, next to, orat least partially under the patient 70. The selective glidingassemblies 60 between the wedges 50A-B and the bottom surface 22 of thedevice 20 do not resist such insertion and allow free gliding of thewedge toward the patient and away from the side edge of the bed. Thisinsertion technique may position the patient to the desired angle withno further movement of the patient 70 necessary. In one embodiment, thewedges 50A-B should be aligned so that the wedges are spaced apart withone wedge 50A positioned at the upper body of the patient 70 and theother wedge 50B positioned at the lower body of the patient 70, with thepatient's sacral area positioned in the space between the wedges 50A-B.It has been shown that positioning the wedges 50A-B in this arrangementcan result in lower pressure in the sacral area, which can reduce theoccurrence of pressure ulcers in the patient 70. The wedges 50A-B may bepositioned approximately 10 cm apart in one embodiment, or anothersuitable distance to provide space to float the sacrum, or in otherwords, to have minimal force on the sacrum.

Once the wedges 50A-B and the support 80 have been inserted, the patient70 may be in the proper angled position. If the patient 70 requiresfurther turning to reach the desired angled position, the user 74 (suchas a caregiver) can pull the patient 70 toward the wedges 50A-B andtoward the user 74, such as by gripping the handles 28, 48 on the device20, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. This moves the proximate edge of the device20 toward the back walls 53 of the wedges 50A-B and toward the user 74,and slides the patient 70 and at least a portion of the device 20 up theramp surface 52, such that the ramp surface 52 partially supports thepatient 70 to cause the patient 70 to lie in an angled position. Duringthis pulling motion, the selective gliding assemblies 60 between theramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50A-B and the device 20 do not resistmovement of the device 20, the engagement member 64 on the base wall 51of the wedge 50A resists movement of the wedge 50A toward the user 74(i.e., away from the patient 70 and toward the side edge of the bed 12),and the high friction surface 24 of the device 20 resists movement ofthe pad 40 and/or the patient 70 with respect to the device 20.

When the patient 70 is to be returned to lying on his/her back, thewedges 50A-B can be removed from under the patient 70. The device 20 maybe pulled in the opposite direction in order to facilitate removal ofthe wedges 50A-B and/or to position the patient 70 closer to the centerof the bed 12. The patient 70 can be turned in the opposite direction byinserting the wedges 50A-B under the opposite side of the device 20,from the opposite side of the bed 12, and optionally pulling the device20 in the opposite direction to move the patient 70 up the ramp surfaces52 of the wedges 50A-B, in the same manner described above.

Once the wedges 50A-B are positioned beneath the patient 70 and thedevice 20, the various selective gliding assemblies 60 resistundesirable movement of the patient 70 and the device 20. For example,the selective gliding assemblies 60 between the ramp surfaces 52 of thewedges 50A-B and the bottom surface 22 of the device 20 resist slippingof the device 20 down the ramp surfaces 52, and also resist slipping ofthe device 20 downward toward the foot 17 of the bed 12, and furtherresist slipping of the wedges 50A-B rearward away from the patient 70and toward the side edge of the bed 12. As another example, theselective gliding assemblies 60 on the base walls 51 of the wedge 50A-Bresist slipping of the wedge 50A rearward away from the patient 70 andtoward the side edge of the bed 12. These features in combinationprovide increased positional stability to the patient 70 as compared toexisting turning and/or positioning systems, thereby reducing thefrequency and degree of necessary repositioning. The patient 70, the pad40, the device 20, and the wedges 50A-B tend to move “together” on thebed 12 in this configuration, so that these components are notunacceptably shifted in position relative to each other. This, in turn,assists in maintaining the patient 70 in optimal position for greaterperiods of time and reduces strain and workload for caregivers. To theextent that repositioning is necessary, the handles 28, 48 on the device20 are configured to assist with such repositioning in a manner thatreduces strain on caregivers. It is understood that the wedges 50A-B maybe used in connection with the device 20 when the device 20 is in theinflated or non-inflated state. The selective glide assemblies 60between the device 20 and the wedges 50A-B will function similarly ineither state.

As described above, in some embodiments, the wedges 50A-B may have anangle of up to approximately 45°, or from approximately 15-35°, orapproximately 30°. Thus, when these embodiments of wedges 50A-B are usedin connection with the method as shown and described herein, the patient70 need not be rotated or angled more than 45°, 35°, or 30°, dependingon the wedge 50A-B configuration. The degree of rotation can bedetermined by the rotation or angle from the horizontal (supine)position of a line extending through the shoulders of the patient 70.Existing methods of turning and positioning patients to relieve sacralpressure often require rolling a patient to 90° or more to insertpillows or other supporting devices underneath. Rolling patients tothese great angles can cause stress and destabilize some patients,particularly in patients with critical illnesses or injuries, and somecritical patients cannot be rolled to such great angles, making turningof the patient difficult. Accordingly, the system 10 and methoddescribed above can have a positive effect on patient health andcomfort. Additionally, the angled nature of the wedges 50A-B can allowfor more accurate positioning of the patient 70 to a given restingangle, as compared to existing, imprecise techniques such as usingpillows for support. Further, the selective gliding assemblies 60 resistundesired slipping with respect to the wedges 50A-B, which aids inmaintaining the same turning angle.

The use of the system 10 and methods described above can decrease thenumber of pressure ulcers in patients significantly. The system 10reduces pressure ulcers in a variety of manners, including reducingpressure on sensitive areas, reducing shearing and friction on thepatient's skin, and managing heat and moisture at the patient's skin.The system 10 can reduce pressure on the patient's skin by facilitatingfrequent turning of the patient and providing consistent support foraccurate resting angles for the patient upon turning. The system 10 canreduce friction and shearing on the patient's skin by resisting slidingof the patient along the bed 12, including resisting sliding of thepatient downward after the head 13 of the bed 12 is inclined, as well asby permitting the patient to be moved by sliding the device 20 againstthe bed 12 instead of sliding the patient. Additionally, as describedabove, the use of the selective gliding assemblies and high/low frictionsurfaces creates a configuration where the device 20, the pad 40, thepatient 70, and the wedges 50A-B all move “as one” on the bed, so thatthe patient 70 stays in the proper turned position and lessrepositioning of the patient is necessary. The system 10 can provideeffective heat and moisture management for the patient by the use of theabsorbent body pad. The breathable properties of the device 20 and pad40 are particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an LAL bedsystem. Increased breathability also permits the system 10 to be placedunderneath the patient 70 for extended periods of time. When usedproperly, pressure ulcers can be further reduced or eliminated.

The use of the system 10 and methods described above can also havebeneficial effects for nurses or other caregivers who turn and positionpatients. Such caregivers frequently report injuries to the hands,wrists, shoulders, back, and other areas that are incurred due to theweight of patients they are moving. Use of the system 10, including thedevice 20 and the wedges 50A-B, can reduce the strain on caregivers whenturning, positioning, boosting, and/or transferring patients. Forexample, existing methods for turning and positioning a patient 70, suchas methods including the use of a folded-up bed sheet for moving thepatient 70, typically utilize lifting and rolling to move the patient70, rather than sliding. Protocols for these existing techniquesencourage lifting to move the patient and actively discourage slidingthe patient, as sliding the patient using existing systems andapparatuses can cause friction and shearing on the patient's skin. Theease of motion and reduction in shearing and friction forces on thepatient 70 provided by the system 10 allows sliding of the patient 70,which greatly reduces stress and fatigue on caregivers while movingand/or turning the patient 70. The combination of the low frictionmaterial 25 and the airflow through the passages 37 greatly reducesfriction in moving the patient 70. In particular, these features providedecreased force necessary for “boosting” a patient 70 toward the head 13of the bed 12. It has been found that the use of an inflated device 20as described herein and shown in FIGS. 1-6 can reduce the peak forcenecessary to boost a supine patient a distance of 12 inches toward thehead 13 of a standard hospital bed 12 by 60-70%, in comparison to atypical boosting procedure using a folded-over bed sheet to move thepatient. It has also been found that the use of an inflated device 20 asdescribed herein and shown in FIGS. 1-6 can reduce the peak forcenecessary to boost a supine patient a distance of 12 inches toward thehead 13 of a standard hospital bed 12 by 55-65%, in comparison to aboosting procedure using a sheet with a low-friction bottom surface tomove the patient. Still other benefits and advantages over existingtechnology are provided by the system 10 and methods described herein,and those skilled in the art will recognize such benefits andadvantages.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinaryskill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodimentscould be provided in any combination with the other embodimentsdisclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as usedherein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit theembodiments in any way. In particular, these terms do not imply anyorder or position of the components modified by such terms.Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any numbergreater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary,up to an infinite number. Further, “providing” an article or apparatus,as used herein, refers broadly to making the article available oraccessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and doesnot connote that the party providing the article has manufactured,produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing thearticle has ownership or control of the article. Accordingly, whilespecific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerousmodifications come to mind without significantly departing from thespirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable device comprising: a top sheet; abottom sheet, wherein the top sheet is connected to the bottom sheet todefine a cavity configured to be inflated, wherein the top sheet forms atop wall of the cavity in use, and the bottom sheet forms a bottom wallof the cavity in use; a plurality of passages extending from the cavityto an exterior of the device, through the bottom sheet, wherein theplurality of passages are configured to permit air to pass from thecavity to the exterior of the device and to flow between a bottomsurface of the device and a supporting surface upon which the device isconfigured to rest; and a plurality of gussets connected to the topsheet and the bottom sheet and extending across the cavity, each of theplurality of gussets including a base connected to the bottom sheet andextending along the bottom sheet, and two arms extending from the baseacross the cavity to the top sheet, wherein the arms are connected tothe top sheet, wherein at least the base of each gusset is anair-permeable material, and wherein a first gusset of the plurality ofgussets is positioned to cover at least one of the passages, such thatthe air-permeable material of the base of the first gusset is configuredto allow air to pass through the base and out through the at least oneof the passages to escape to the exterior of the device.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are at leastpartially formed of a material that is impermeable to liquid and air andis permeable to water vapor.
 3. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a port in communication with the cavity and with the exteriorof the device, configured for connection to an air output for inflationof the cavity.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the top sheet forms thetop wall of the cavity and a top surface of the device, wherein thebottom sheet forms the bottom wall of the cavity and the bottom surfaceof the device, and wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are eachformed of a single layer and are formed as separate pieces which arejoined together around their edges.
 5. The device of claim 1, whereinthe top sheet has a high friction material on a top surface thereof,wherein the high friction material has a greater resistance to slidingthan a material of the bottom sheet.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe gussets are positioned such that the bases of the gussets cover allof the plurality of passages.
 7. A system comprising the device of claim1, and at least one wedge comprising a wedge body having a base wall, aramp surface, a back wall, and a front end opposite the back wall,wherein the wedge is configured to be positioned under the device suchthat the base wall confronts the supporting surface and the ramp surfaceconfronts the bottom surface of the device.
 8. A method comprisingplacing the device of claim 1 above a bed and beneath a patient, suchthat the patient rests on the device, and inflating the device.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising moving the device and the patient.10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a center and atleast two side edges, and wherein the passages are configured to permita greater amount of air flow to escape proximate the center of theinflatable device than proximate the side edges of the inflatabledevice.